In a heart-warming initiative aimed at safeguarding the lives of Kashmir’s walnut harvesters, a man from Kerala, Shameer Karimba, has joined hands with Mumbai-based start-up entrepreneur Harsha Kotecha.
Their mission is to provide free training to local harvestors on safe climbing techniques for tall walnut trees, a practice that has been fraught with accidents in the region for years.
Kashmir’s traditional walnut trees are known for their height, making it necessary for harvestors to climb them for collection. However, this perilous task often leads to injuries and even fatalities as they use long sticks to detach ripe walnuts from the tall branches.
Shameer Karimba, an expert climber hailing from Palakkad district in Kerala, has become famous in his home state for his life-saving rescue operations.
After Harsha Kotecha reached out to him, having watched one of his rescue videos on YouTube, he decided to take his skills to Kashmir to address the pressing issue. Harsha Kotecha, a startup entrepreneur from Mumbai, highlighted the dire situation, with approximately 40 people in Kashmir suffering injuries or fatal falls from walnut trees each year.
She and her team have undertaken the task of securing the precious lives of these walnut beaters.
Shameer Karimba, passionate about his mission, stated, “I am here to help farmers, not to make money.” He has developed a safety kit comprising a safety belt, stirrup-like structures for the climber’s feet, hooks, and rope.
This equipment promises to make climbing tall trees easy and secure, significantly reducing the risk of falls.
The collaborative effort between the Kerala man and the Mumbai entrepreneur has already begun in the Pampore area of South Kashmir, where local walnut harvestors are receiving training in safe climbing techniques.
Harsha Kotecha shared, “We want to secure their precious lives because if we are able to save even four to five people from falling, that is a great achievement for us.” The initiative has been funded by Harsha Kotecha and her associates, who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of the walnut beaters of Kashmir.
After Pampore, the training program is set to expand to Anantnag, Shopian, and Kupwara, reaching more harvestors and potentially preventing future accidents in this vital industry.
